What happened: Alex Smith diagnosed the Los Angeles Rams' offensive struggles by calling Sean McVay's scheme "a little conservative, and even a little vanilla." Smith noted that the lack of creativity is something observers had never previously said about the Rams head coach.

Why it matters: The critique marks a notable departure from the reputation surrounding McVay's offensive strategy in Los Angeles. Generating more downfield aggression and unpredictability is an immediate priority as the club works to correct its offensive slump.

What to watch: The Rams prepare for their upcoming scheduled regular-season game with McVay looking to spark the offense.